moth

noun

ˈmȯth 

plural moths ˈmȯt͟hz  ˈmȯths 

1

: clothes moth

2

: any of various usually nocturnal lepidopteran insects with antennae that are often feathery, with a stouter body, duller coloring, and proportionately smaller wings than the butterflies, and with larvae that are plant-eating caterpillars

mothlike

ˈmȯth-ˌlīk 

adjective

mothy

ˈmȯ-thē 

adjective

Examples of moth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Set the scene with oversize black crepe paper flowers and faux moths that have seemingly escaped from their glass enclosure. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2024

Real moths fly out of Billy Butcherson's mouth No, really. —Andrea Wurzburger, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024

Are the Himalayan moths, partial to cooler weather, ascending up the mountains as temperatures below steadily rise? —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Oct. 2024

This visually rapturous look at the nighttime lives of moths, with Sundance-winning immersive sound design, explores the beauty and fragility of nature. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mothe, from Old English moththe; akin to Middle High German motte moth

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing moth

• brown-tail moth
• cecropia moth
• cinnabar moth
• clearwing moth
• clothes moth
• codling moth
• death's-head hawk moth
• diamondback moth
• hawk moth
• imperial moth
• Io moth
• luna moth
• Mediterranean flour moth
• moth bean
• moth-eaten
• oriental fruit moth
• peppered moth
• silk moth
• sphinx moth
• spongy moth
• tiger moth
• tussock moth
• wax moth

Kids Definition

moth

noun

ˈmȯth 

plural moths ˈmȯt͟hz  ˈmȯths 

: any of a group of night-flying insects that are lepidopterans often with duller coloring, stouter bodies, and smaller wings than the related butterflies and with antennae which are often feathery